Justin Simon

Simon spent the first three years of his high school career at Temecula Valley High School in his hometown of Temecula, California.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/168079/justin-simon |title=Justin Simon |website=espn.com}}{{Failed verification|date=September 2024|reason=no mention of this school}} In his junior season, Simon averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, which earned him spots on the all-state underclass and the Division II all-state first teams, in addition to being named the Southwestern League MVP. He also received an invitation to the Men's U-18 National Team training camp.

Simon spent his senior season at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, where he blossomed into a consensus top-40 national recruit in the class of 2015. In leading the team to a 34–1 record, the NEPSAC Class AAA title and the National Prep Championship, Simon averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

Simon finished high school as a four-star recruit and the 37th ranked player in the class of 2015, according to ESPN.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/168079/justin-simon |title=Justin Simon |website=espn.com}} Simon received over 20 Division I scholarship offers from the likes of Indiana, Kansas, and Louisville, but ended up selecting Arizona.

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2015}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Justin Simon

| position = G

| hometown = Temecula, CA

| highschool = Brewster Academy (NH)

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight = 205

| 40 =

| commitdate = May 6, 2014

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 4

| espn grade = 87

}}

|}

In his freshman season at Arizona, Simon struggled to find playing time. Early in the season, Simon received an increased amount of minutes due to Allonzo Trier being injured, but his time on the court soon fell off as he failed to see the court in seven of the team's last 11 games. Simon did not start in a game all season and saw action in just 24 contests. In 7.5 minutes per game, Simon averaged 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.

After the season, Simon announced his intention to transfer. He had interest from several programs, including Oklahoma State, Providence, and New Mexico, but ended up choosing St. John's.{{cite web|last=Borzello|first=Jeff|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15286306/justin-simon-transfers-st-john-red-storm-arizona-wildcats|title=Justin Simon transferring to St. John's|publisher=ESPN|date=April 21, 2016|accessdate=April 23, 2020}}

Simon sat out the 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Simon had a breakout sophomore season, tallying 20 double-digit scoring performances and nine double-doubles in 33 games, all of which he started. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, and was the only player in the Big East to rank in the top five in rebounding, assists, and steals. Simon ranked eighth nationally in steals with 82.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Broadway |title=2018-19 Big East Men's Basketball Summer Check In: St. John's Red Storm |url=https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2018/7/24/17604856/2018-19-big-east-mens-basketball-summer-check-in-st-johns-red-storm-ponds-heron-mullin |website=Anonymous Eagle |publisher=SBNation |accessdate=May 29, 2020 |date=July 24, 2018}}

In his junior season, Simon's offensive production declined slightly but he developed into one of the nation's best defenders. In 34 games, 33 of which he started, Simon averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds all while leading the team in blocked shots with 22 and ranking third on the team in steals with 50. After the season, Simon was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web|last=Kussoy|first=Howie|url=https://nypost.com/2019/03/11/st-johns-star-justin-simon-rewarded-for-impressive-year/|title=St. John's star Justin Simon rewarded for impressive year|publisher=New York Post|date=March 11, 2019|accessdate=April 23, 2020}}

On April 9, 2019, Simon announced he was forgoing his senior season to declare for the 2019 NBA draft.{{cite web|last=Snider|first=Ethan|url=https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2019/4/10/18305508/st-johns-justin-simon-declares-for-nba-draft|title=St. John's Justin Simon declares for NBA Draft|publisher=Rumble in the Garden|date=April 10, 2019|accessdate=April 23, 2020}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Arizona

| 24 || 0 || 7.5 || .500 || .333 || .429 || 1.2 || .3 || .3 || .3 || 2.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"| St. John's

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| File:Redshirt.svg Redshirt

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"| St. John's

| 33 || 33 || 36.1 || .473 || .417 || .661 || 7.1 || 5.1 || 2.5 || .8 || 12.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| St. John's

| 34 || 33 || 32.9 || .462 || .289 || .608 || 5.1 || 3.2 || 1.5 || .6 || 10.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 91 || 66 || 27.3 || .470 || .351 || .620 || 4.8 || 3.1 || 1.5 || .6 || 8.9

{{S-end}}

Simon was not selected in the draft, but was invited to play for the Chicago Bulls' Summer League team. In five games, he averaged 6.8 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes per game.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Andrew|url=https://pippenainteasy.com/2019/06/23/chicago-bulls-g-justin-simon-solid-summer-league-addition/|title=Chicago Bulls: G Justin Simon solid Summer League addition|work=Pippen Ain't Easy |date=June 23, 2019|accessdate=April 23, 2020}} On September 12, 2019, Simon signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Bulls and was added to the team's training camp roster.{{cite web|last=Walton|first=Michael|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/report-bulls-add-justin-simon-exhibit-10-contract|title=Report: Bulls to add Justin Simon on Exhibit 10 contract|publisher=NBC Sports Chicago|date=September 12, 2019|accessdate=April 23, 2020}} On October 21, Simon was waived from the Bulls' roster and was subsequently assigned to the team's G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.{{cite web|last=Amico|first=Sam|url=https://amicohoops.net/nba-rumors-chicago-bulls-nba-cuts-nba-g-league/|title=Bulls waive Doyle, undrafted rookies Simon and Shittu|publisher=Amico Hoops|date=October 21, 2019|accessdate=April 23, 2020}} He averaged 12.8 points per game in the G League.{{cite news |last1=McGraw |first1=Mike |title=Season likely over, but Windy City Bulls coach thankful for development |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20200320/season-likely-over-but-windy-city-bulls-coach-thankful-for-development |accessdate=May 29, 2020 |work=Daily Herald |date=March 20, 2020}}

On August 14, 2020, Simon signed a one-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).{{cite web |title=Hawks Sign Second Import Justin Simon |url=https://www.hawks.com.au/news/hawks-sign-second-import-justin-simon |work=The Hawks |accessdate=14 August 2020 |date=14 August 2020}}

On August 19, 2021, Simon signed a six-week contract with ratiopharm Ulm of the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) as an injury replacement for Karim Jallow.{{Cite web|url=https://ratiopharmulm.com/news/defensivspieler-des-jahres-startet-mit-ratiopharm-ulm-in-die-saison-1080/|title=Defensivspieler des Jahres startet mit ratiopharm ulm in die Saison|last=|first=|date=August 19, 2021|website=ratiopharmulm.com|language=de|access-date=August 19, 2021}}

On October 3, 2021, Simon signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg of the BBL.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/mhp-riesen-ludwisburg-lands-justin-simon/|title=MHP Riesen Ludwisburg lands Justin Simon|last=|first=|date=October 3, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=October 3, 2021 |last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }} On May 8, 2022, he helped Riesen finish third in the 2021–22 Basketball Champions League when he recorded 27 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals against Hapoel Holon, becoming the first player in BCL history to record more than 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. He also set a new record for points in a BCL Final Four game.{{cite web |title=MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg down Hapoel U-NET Holon to claim third place |url=https://www.championsleague.basketball/21-22/news/mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg-down-hapoel-u-net-holon-to-claim-third-place |website=FIBA.basketball |access-date=9 May 2022 |language=en}}

On July 18, 2022, Simon signed with the Sydney Kings in Australia for the 2022–23 NBL season.{{Cite web|title=Justin Simon Joins Kings|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/justin-simon-joins-kings|website=NBL.com.au {{!}} NBL|date=18 July 2022|access-date=18 July 2022}}

On March 20, 2023, Simon signed with Scaligera Verona of the LBA.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/scaligera-verona-officially-signs-justin-simon/|title=Scaligera Verona officially signs Justin Simon|last=|first=|date=March 20, 2023|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=March 20, 2023 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}

On July 18, 2023, Simon signed with Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{Cite web|url=https://bhbasket.co.il/news?NewsId=15466|title=Justin Simon signed with Bnei Herzliya|last=|first=|date=July 18, 2023|website=|publisher=BhBasket|language=En|access-date=}} He terminated his contract with the club on November 19, 2023.{{cite news |title=Bnei Herzliya signs Adonis Thomas, parts ways with Justin Simon |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/bnei-herzliya-signs-adonis-thomas-parts-ways-with-justin-simon/ |website=Sportando |access-date=December 8, 2023 |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

On December 1, 2023, he joined Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A and EuroCup as an injury replacement for Sebastian Herrera.{{cite web |title=JUSTIN SIMON, NOUVEAU JOUEUR DU PARIS BASKETBALL |url=https://parisbasketball.com/2023/12/justin-simon-nouveau-joueur-du-paris-basketball/# |website=Paris Basketball |access-date=December 1, 2023 |date=December 1, 2023 |language=french}} In his first season with the club he won the 2024 EuroCup.

On September 15, 2024, he signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) for a second stint.{{Cite web|url=https://mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg.de/news/highlight-maschine-defensiv-monster-ludwigsburger-justin-simon/|title=Highlight machine, defensive monster, Ludwigsburg: Justin Simon|last=|first=|date=September 15, 2024|website=mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg.de|publisher=|language=de|access-date=October 2, 2024}}

Simon's father Ken played football at Fresno State and his mother Felicia played basketball and ran track at UC Irvine. Simon has two brothers and a sister.

{{Reflist}}

• {{basketballstats}}
• [https://redstormsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/justin-simon/3361 St. John's Red Storm bio]
• [https://gleague.nba.com/player/justin-simon/ G League Profile]
• {{Sports links}}

{{MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg current roster}}

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{{Sydney Kings 2022–23 NBL champions}}

{{NBL Best Defensive Players}}

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{{Paris Basketball 2023–24 Eurocup champions}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Justin}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in France

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Riverside County, California

Category:Brewster Academy alumni

Category:Illawarra Hawks players

Category:Paris Basketball players

Category:People from Temecula, California

Category:Ratiopharm Ulm players

Category:Riesen Ludwigsburg players

Category:Scaligera Basket Verona players

Category:Small forwards

Category:St. John's Red Storm men's basketball players

Category:Sydney Kings players

Category:Windy City Bulls players